R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.